HiFiMAN Prelude Headphone Amplifier, Wired

HiFiMAN Prelude Headphone Amplifier (Wired)

Pure Class A authority for headphones that demand the best

When your flagship headphones hunger for real current, the HiFiMAN Prelude answers with effortless, fully balanced Class A power. Born from Goldenwave’s boutique amplifier DNA and refined by HiFiMAN, Prelude unlocks the scale, speed, and composure that difficult planar magnetics and high‑end dynamics require—without glare, grain, or strain. Expect black backgrounds, iron‑fisted control, and a natural, unforced presentation that puts you closer to the recording than ever before.

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Why Audiophiles Choose This Product

• • Powerful, musical drive

  • Up to 10W into 32Ω with high current delivery keeps even notoriously demanding headphones (think Susvara‑class planars) fully in control—clean transients, deep bass grip, and headroom to spare. Reviewers call it “a truly excellent solid-state analog amplifier” with a smooth, transparent signature.

• • Purist engineering that serves the music

  • Fully discrete, fully balanced Class A MOSFET topology; precision single‑ended‑to‑balanced conversion for RCA sources; independent preamp stage; ALPS RK27 analog potentiometer; and a custom low‑noise toroidal transformer. Each choice favors signal purity, channel balance, and dynamic ease.

• • Thoughtful, flexible connectivity

  • Front‑panel outputs include 4‑pin XLR, 4.4 mm balanced, and dual combo jacks that accept either 3‑pin XLR (balanced) or 6.35 mm (single‑ended). Rear‑panel I/O covers both XLR and RCA for inputs and pre‑outs, selected via front buttons for Input, Gain, and Output (Head‑Amp or Pre‑Amp).

• • Built to disappear sonically—and look the part on your desk

  • A one‑piece aluminum chassis, generous ventilation, and low‑profile industrial design keep vibration down and thermals stable—because true Class A runs warm by design. Place it in a well‑ventilated spot and enjoy.

• • Tuned for full‑size headphones

  • Prelude shines with over‑ears; ultra‑sensitive IEMs can reveal a residual noise floor common to high‑power Class A designs. If your focus is flagship headphones, this is the right tool for the job.

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What’s Included

• • Main Product: HiFiMAN Prelude fully balanced Class A headphone amplifier (model: PRELUDE)
  Key performance: up to 10W @ 32Ω; 6W @ 64Ω; 2.5W @ 150Ω; 1W @ 300Ω; 560mW @ 600Ω.
• • Primary Accessory: AC power cable (region‑specific)
• • Documentation: Downloadable Owner’s Guide and 1‑year limited warranty (extendable by 6 months via HiFiMAN’s program)

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Technical Specifications

Specification	Value	Notes
Product Type	Wired desktop headphone amplifier and preamplifier	Analog, no DAC
Amplification Topology	Fully discrete, fully balanced Class A MOSFET	High current, purist analog path
Inputs	XLR (balanced), RCA (single‑ended)	SE inputs converted to balanced internally
Headphone Outputs	4‑pin XLR, 4.4 mm balanced, dual combo 3‑pin XLR/6.35 mm	Flexible terminations
Preamp Outputs	XLR (balanced), RCA (single‑ended)	Front selector chooses H‑AMP or P‑AMP
Frequency Response	20 Hz – 50 kHz (±1 dB @ 1 kHz)	Wideband, linear response
SNR	–113 dB @ 1 kHz	Low noise floor for a high‑power Class A amp
THD+N	0.0009% (low gain, @1 kHz)	Clean, low distortion
Output Power	10W (32Ω); 6W (64Ω); 2.5W (150Ω); 1W (300Ω); 560mW (600Ω)	Balanced, 0.1% @1 kHz
Gain Settings	Low / High (0.7 Vrms / 1.0 Vrms reference)	Front‑panel Gain button
Power Consumption	< 50 W	Class A; allow ventilation
Mains	Region‑specific 110 V or 220 V versions	Verify before use
Dimensions	330 × 56 × 260 mm	Low‑profile chassis
Weight	6500 g	Substantial, resonance‑resistant build

All specifications verified from the official Owner’s Guide.

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Professional Recognition

• • Reviews

  • “A truly excellent solid‑state analog amplifier…smooth and agreeable sound signature.” — Headfonics.
  • Headfonia highlights its high current delivery and synergy with demanding planars.
  • Soundnews praises resolution and drive while noting that ultra‑sensitive IEMs reveal the noise floor—consistent with its high‑power Class A nature.

• • Heritage

  • Prelude is the first reference head‑amp from Goldenwave brought under the HiFiMAN banner following the brand’s acquisition in early 2023—combining boutique circuit craft with HiFiMAN’s headphone know‑how.

• • Innovation Highlights

  • Discrete, fully balanced Class A MOSFET design; precision SE‑to‑balanced conversion; independent preamp stage; ALPS RK27 potentiometer; custom low‑noise toroidal transformer; one‑piece aluminum chassis.

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The Bottom Line

If you want a reference‑class, no‑compromise analog path that simply makes hard‑to‑drive headphones sing, the HiFiMAN Prelude delivers. Its combination of massive yet graceful power, meticulous balanced engineering, and practical connectivity inspires confidence—whether you’re running top‑tier planars on the desk or feeding a speaker chain from its pre‑outs. Built for listeners who value musical truth over frills, Prelude is the straightforward Class A upgrade that unlocks the full potential of your headphones.

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Notes and usage tips:

• Prelude runs warm (Class A). Allow ventilation and avoid continuous 24/7 operation.
• Optimized for full‑size headphones; ultra‑sensitive IEMs may reveal a light noise floor.

Sources: Official HiFiMAN Owner’s Guide and support pages; professional reviews and press coverage for listening impressions and design background.